قاموس المصطلحات الكهربية

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

A
Abbreviation for "ampere" a unit of electrical current.
absorption
Loss or dissipation of energy as it travels through a medium, Example: radio waves lose some of their energy as they travel through the atmosphere.
AC
Abbreviation for "Alternating Current"
acceptor atoms
Trivalent atoms that accept free electrons from pentavalent atoms.
AC coupling
Circuit that passes an AC signal while blocking a DC voltage.
AC/DC
Equipment that will operate on either an AC or DC power source.
AC generator
Device used to transform mechanical energy into AC electrical power.
AC load line
A graph representing all possible combinations of AC output voltage and current for an amplifier.
AC power supply
Power supply that delivers an AC voltage.
active component
A component that changes the amplitude of a signal between input and output.
active filter
A filter that uses an amplifier in addition to reactive components to pass or reject selected frequencies.
active region
The region of BJT operation between saturation and cutoff used for linear amplification.
AC voltage
A voltage in which the polarity alternates.
ADC
Abbreviation for "analog to digital converter"
Admittance
(symbol "Y") Measure of how easily AC will flow through a circuit. Admittance is the reciprocal of impedance and is measured in siemens.
AF
Abbreviation for "audio frequency".
AFC
Abbreviation for "automatic frequency control".
AGC
Abbreviation for "automatic gain control"
alkaline cell
A primary cell that delivers more current than a carbon-zinc cell. Also known as an "alkaline manganese cell".
alligator clip
Spring clip on the end of a test lead used to make a temporary connection.
alpha
Ratio of collector current to emitter current in a bipolar junction transistor (BJT). Greek letter alpha "a" is the symbol used.
alternating current
An electric current that rises to a maximum in one direction, falls back to zero and then rises to a maximum in the opposite direction and then repeats.
alternator
Name for an AC generator.
AM
Abbreviation for "amplitude modulation"
ammeter
A meter used to measure current.
ampere
Unit of electrical current.
amplifier
A circuit that increases the voltage, current, or power of a signal.
amplitude:
Magnitude or size of a signal voltage or current.
analog
Information represented as continously varying voltage or current rather than in discrete levels as opposed to digital data varying between two discrete levels.
anode
The positive electrode or terminal of a device. The "P" material of a diode.
antenna, transmitting
A device that converts an electrical wave into an electromagnetic wave that radiates away from the antenna.
antenna, receiving
A device that converts a radiated electromagnetic wave into an electrical wave.
apparent power
Power attained in an AC circuit as a product of effective voltage and current which reach their peak at different times.
arc
Discharge of electricity through a gas such as lightning discharging through the atmosphere.
armature:
The rotating or moving component of a magnetic circuit.
armstrong oscillator
An oscillator that uses an isolation transformer to achieve positive feedback from output to input.
astable multivibrator
An oscillator that produces a square wave output from a DC voltage.
atom
The smallest particle that an element can be broken down into and still maintain its unique identity.
atomic number
The number of positive charges or protons in the nucleus of an atom.
attenuate
To reduce the amplitude of an action or signal. The opposite of amplification.
audio
Relating to frequencies that can be heard by the human ear. Approximately 20 Hz. to 20 kHz.
autotransformer
A single winding transformer where the output is taken from taps on the winding.
average value
A value of voltage or current where the area of the wave above the value equals the area of the wave below the value.
AVC
Abbreviation for "automatic volume control"
avionics
Aviation electronics.
AWG
Abbreviation for "american wire gauge". A gauge that assigns a number value to the diameter of a wire.
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B

balanced bridge
Condition that occurs when a bridge circuit is adjusted to produce a zero output.
band-pass filter
A tuned circuit designed to pass a band of frequencies between a lower cut-off frequency (f1) and a higher cut-off frequency (f2). Frequencies above and below the pass band are heavily attenuated.
band-stop filter
A tuned circuit designed to stop frequencies between a lower cut-off frequency (f1) and a higher cut-off frequency (f2) of the amplifier while passing all other frequencies.
bandwidth
Width of the band of frequencies between the half power points.
barrier potential
The natural difference of potential that exists across a forward biased pn junction.
base
The region that lies betwen the emitter and collector of a bipolar junction transistor (BJT).
base biasing
A method of biasing a BJT in which the bias voltage is supplied to the base by means of a resistor.
battery
A DC voltage source containing two or more cells that convert chemical energy to electrical energy.
baud
A unit of signaling speed equal to the number of signal events per second. Not necessarily the same as bits per second.
beta
(b) The ratio of collector current to base current in a bipolar junction transistor (BJT).
bias
A DC voltage applied to a device to control its operation.
binary
A number system having only two symbols, 0 and 1. A base 2 number system.
bipolar junction transistor
(BJT), A three terminal device in which emitter to collector current is controlled by base current.
bistable multivibrator
A multivibrator with two stable states. An external signal is required to change the output from one state to the other. Also called a latch.
bleeder current
A current drawn continously from a souce. Bleeder current is used to stabilize the output voltage of a source.
bode plot
A graph of gain versus frequency.
branch current
The portion of total current flowing in one path of a parallel circuit.
breakdown voltage
Voltage at which the breakdown of a dialectric or insulator occurs.
breakover voltage
Minimum voltage required to cause a diac to break down and conduct.
bridge rectifier
A circuit using four diodes to provide full wave rectification. Converts an AC voltage to a pulsating DC voltage.
buffer
An amplifier used to isolate a load from a source.
bulk resistance
The natural resistance of a "P" type or "N" type semiconductor material.
butterworth filter
A type of active filter characterized by a constant gain (flat response) across the midband of the circuit and a 20 dB per decade roll-off rate for each pole contained in the circuit.
BW
Abbreviation for bandwidth.
bypass capacitor
A capacitor used to provide an AC ground at some point in a circuit.
byte
Group of eight binary digits or bits.
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C

cable
Group of two or more insulated wires.
CAD
Abbreviation for "computer aided design"
calibration
To adjust the correct value of a reading by comparison to a standard.
capacitance
The ability of a capacitor to store an electrical charge. The basic unit of capacitance is the Farad.
capacitive reactance
The opposition to current flow provided by a capacitor. Capacitive reactance is measured in ohms and varies inversly with frequency.
capacitor
An electronic component having capacitive reactance.
capacitor microphone
Microphone whose operation depends on variations in capacitance caused by varying air pressure on the movable plate of a capacitor.
carbon-film resistor
Device made by depositing a thin carbon film on a ceramic form.
carbon microphone
Microphone whose operation depends on pressure variation in carbon granules causing a change in resistance.
carbon resistor
Resistor of fixed value made by mixing carbon granules with a binder which is moulded and then baked.
cascaded amplifier
An amplifier with two or more stages arranged in a series configuration.
cascode amplifier
A high frequency amplifier made up of a common-source amplifier with a common-gate amplifier in its drain network.
cathode
The negative terminal electrode of a device. The "N" material in a junction diode.
cathode ray tube
(CRT) Vacuum tube used to display data in a visual form. Picture tube of a television or computer terminal.
cell
Single unit used to convert chemical energy into a DC electrical voltage.
center frequency
Frequency to which an amplifier is tuned. The frequency half way between the cut-off frequencies of a tuned circuit.
center tap
Midway connection between the two ends of a winding.
center tapped rectifier
Circuit that make use of a center tapped transformer and two diodes to provide full wave rectification.
center tapped transformer
A transformer with a connection at the electrical center of a winding.
ceramic capacitor
Capacitor in which the dialectric is ceramic.
charge
Quantity of electrical energy.
charge current
Current that flows to charge a capacitor or battery when voltage is applied.
chassis
Metal box or frame into which components are mounted.
chassis ground
Connection to a chassis.
chebyshev filter
A type of active filter characterized by high roll-off rates (40 dB per decade per pole) and midband gain that is not constant.
choke
Inductor used to oppose the flow of alternating current.
circuit
Interconnection of components to provide an electrical path between two or more components.
circuit breaker
A protective device used to open a circuit when current exceeds a maximum value. In effect a reusable fuse.
clamper
A diode circuit used to change the DC level of a waveform without distorting the waveform.
clapp oscillator
A variation of the Colpitts oscillator. An added capacitor is used to eliminate the effects of stray capacitance on the operation of the basic Colpitts oscillator.
class A amplifier
A linear amplifier biased so the active device conducts through 360 degrees of the input waveform.
class B amplifier
An amplifier with two active devices. The active components are biased so that each conducts for approximately 180 degrees of the input waveform cycle.
class C amplifier
An amplifier in which the active device conducts for less than 180 degrees of the input waveform cycle.
clipper
A diode circuit used to eliminate part of a waveform
clipping
Distortion caused by overdriving an amplifier.
clock
A square waveform used for synchronizing and timing of several circuits.
closed circuit
Circuit having a complete path for current flow.
closed-loop gain
Gain of an amplifier when a feedback path is present.
coaxial cable
Transmission line in which the signal carrying conductor is covered by a dialectric and another conductor.
coefficient of coupling
The degree of coupling between two circuits.
coercive force
(H) Magnetizing force needed to reduce residual magnetism in a material to zero.
collector
The semiconductor region in a bipolar junction transistor through which a flow of charge carriers leaves the base region.
collector characteristic curve
A graph of collector voltage over collector current for a given base current.
color code
Set of colors used to indicate value of a component.
colpitts oscillator
An oscillator with a pair of tapped capacitors in the feedback network.
common-anode display
A multisegment light emitting diode (LED) with a single positive voltage input connection. Separate cathode connections are provided for each individual segment.
common cathode display
A multisegment light emitting diode (LED) with a single negative voltage input connection. Separate anode connections are provided for each individual segment.
common base amplifier
A BJT circuit in which the base connection is common to both input and output.
common collector amplifier
A BJT circuit in which the collector connection is common to both input and output.
common drain amplifier
A FET circuit in which the drain connection is common to both input and output.
common emitter amplifier
A BJT circuit in which the emitter connection is common to both input and output.
common gate amplifier
A FET circuit in which the gate connection is common to both input and output.
common source amplifier
A FET circuit in which the source connection is common to both input and output.
common-mode rejection ratio
(CMRR) The ratio of op-amp differential gain to common-mode gain. A measure of an op-amp's ability to reject common-mode signals such as noise.
common-mode signals
Signals that appear simultaneously at two inputs of an operational amplifier (op-amp). Common mode signals are always equal in amplitude and phase.
comparitor
An op-amp circuit that compares two inputs and provides a DC output indicating the polarity relationship between the inputs.
complementary symmetry amplifier
A class B amplifier using matched complementry transistors. Does not require a phase inverter for push-pull output.
complementry transistors
Two transistors, one NPN and one PNP having near identical charastics. N-channel and P-channel FETs can also be complementry.
complex numbers
Numbers composed of a real number part and an imaginary number part.
compliance
The maximum possible peak-to-peak output of an amplifier.
constant current circuit
Circuit used to maintain constant current to a load having resistance that changes.
contact
Current carrying part of a switch, relay or connector.
continuity
Occurs when a complete path for current exists.
conventional current flow
Concept of current produced by the movement of positive charges towards the negative terminal of a source.
copper loss
Power lost in transformers, generators, connecting wires and other parts of a circuit due to current flow through the resistance of copper conductors.
core
Magnetic material within a coil used to concentrate the magnetic field.
coulomb
Unit of electric charge. A negative coulomb charge consists of 6.24 × 1018 electrons.
counter electromotive force
(counter emf) Voltage induced into an inductor due to an alternating or pulsating current. Counter emf is always in polarity opposite to that of the applied voltage. Opposing a change of current.
coupling
To electronically connect two circuits so that signal will pass from one to the other.
covalent bond
The way some atoms complete their valence shells by sharing valence electrons with neighbouring atoms.
crossover distortion
Distortion caused by both devices in a class B amplifier being cut-off at the same time.
crowbar
Circuit used to protect the output of a souce from a short circuited load. Load current is limited to a value the source can deliver without damage.
CRT
Abbreviation for cathode ray tube.
crystal
Natural or synthetic piezoelectric or semiconductor material with atoms arranged with some degree of geometric regularity.
crystal-controlled oscillator
Oscillator that uses a quartz crystal in its feedback path to maintain a stable output frequency.
current
Measured in amperes, it is the flow of electrons through a conductor. Also know as electron flow.
current amplifier
Amplifier to increase signal current.
current divider
Parallel network designed to divide the total current of a circuit
current feedback
Feedback configuration where a portion of the output current is fed back to the amplifier input.
current-limiting resistor
Resistor in the path of current flow to control the amount of current drawn by a device.
current mirror
Term used to describe the fact that DC current through the base circuit of a class B amplifier is approximately equal to the DC collector current.
cutoff
Condition when an active device is biased such that output current is near zero or beyond zero.
cutoff frequency
Frequency at which the power gain of an amplifier falls below 50% of maximum.
cycle
When a repeating wave rises from zero to a positive maximum then back to zero and on to a negative maximum and back to zero it is said to have completed one cycle
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D

DAC
Abbreviation for "digital to analog converter."
damping
Reduction in magnitude of oscillation due to energy being dissipated as heat.
darlington pair
An amplifier consisting of two bipolar junction transistors with their collectors connected together and the emitter of one connected to the base of the other. Circuit has an extremely high current gain and input impedance.
DC
Abbreviation for "direct current".
DC load line
A graph representing all possible combinations of voltage and current for a given load resistor in an amplifier.
DC offset
The change in input voltage required to produce a zero output voltage when no signal is applied to an amplifier.
DC power supply
Any source of DC power for electrical equipment.
dead short
Short circuit having zero resistance.
decade
A frequency factor of ten.
decibel
(dB) a logarithmic representation of gain or loss.
degenerative feedback
Also called negative feedback. A portion of the output of an amplifier is inverted and connected back to the input. This controls the gain of the amplifier and reduces distortion and noise.
delay time
The time for collector current to reach 10% of its maximum value in a BJT switching circuit.
depletion region
Thre area surrounding a pn junction that is depleted of carriers.
depletion mode
In a FET, an operating mode where reverse gate-source voltage is used to deplete the channel of free carriers. This reduces the size of the channel and increases its resistance.
depletion-mode MOSFET
A MOSFET designed to operate in either depletion mode or enhancement mode.
device
A component or part.
diac
A two terminal bidirectional thyristor. Has a symmetrical switching mode.
dielectric
Insulating material between two plates where an electrostatic field exists.
dialectric constant
Property of a material that determines how much electrostatic energy can be stored per unit volume when unit voltage is applied.
dialectric strength
The maximum voltage an insulating material can withstand without breaking down.
differential amplifier
An amplifier in which the output is in proportion to the differences between voltages applied to its two inputs.
differentiator
A circuit in which the output voltage is in proportion to the rate of change of the input voltage. A high pass RC circuit.
diffusion
Tendency of conduction band electrons to wander across a pn junction to combine with valence band holes.
digital
Relating to devices or circuits that have outputs of only two discrete levels. Examples: 0 or 1, high or low, on or off, true or false etc.
diode
A two terminal device that conducts in only one direction.
DIP
Abbreviation for "dual in line package."
direct coupling
Where the output of an amplifier is connected directly to the input of another amplifier or to a load. Also known as DC coupling because DC signals are not blocked.
direct current
Current that flows in only one direction.
discharge
Release of energy stored in either a battery or a capacitor.
discrete component
Package containing only a single component as opposed to an integrated circuit containing many components in a single package.
dissipation
Release of electrical energy in the form of heat.
distortion
An undesired change in a waveform or signal.
distributed capacitance
Any capacitance other than that within a capacitor. For example, the capacitance between adjacent turns of wire in a coil.
distributed inductance
Any inductance other than that within an inductor. Example inductance in any conductor.
domain
A moveable magnetized area in a magnetized material. Also known as magnetic domain.
donor atoms
Pentavalent atoms that give up electrons to the conduction band in an N type semiconductor material.
doping
The process of adding impurity atoms to intrinsic (pure) silicon or germanium to improve the conductivity of the semiconductor material.
dot convention
Standard used with transformer symbols to indicate whether the secondary voltage is in phase or out of phase with the primary voltage.
drift
A problem that can develop in tuned amplifiers when the frequency of the tuned circuit changes due to temperature or component aging.
dropping resistor
Resistor whose value has been chosen to drop or develop a given voltage.
dry cell
DC voltage generating chemical cell using a non liquid (paste) electrolyte.
dual in-line package
Integrated circuit package having two rows of connecting pins.
dual trace oscilloscope
Oscilloscope that can simultaneously display two signals.
dynamic
Relating to conditions that are changing or in motion
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E

E-core
Laminated form in the shape of the letter "E", onto which inductors and transformers are wound.
eddy currents
Currents induced into a conducting core due to the changing magnetic field. Eddy currents produce heat which is a loss of power and lowers the efficiency of an inductor.
efficiency
The amount of power delivered to the load of an amplifier as a percentage of the power required from the power supply.
electric charge
Electric energy stored on the surface of a material. Also known as a static charge.
electric field
A field or force that exists in the space between two different potentials or voltages. Also known as an electrostatic field.
electricity
Science states that certain particles possess a force field or charge. The charge possessed by an electron is negative while the charge possessed by a proton is positive. Electricity can be divided into two groups, static and dynamic. Static electricity deals with charges at rest and dynamic electricity deals with charges in motion.
electric polarization
A displacement of bound charges in a dielectric when placed in an electric field.
electro acoustic transducer
Device that produces an energy transfer from electric to acoustic (sound) or from acoustic to electric. Examples include a microphone, earphones and loudspeakers.
electroluminescence
Conversion of electrical energy into light energy.
electrolyte
Electrically conducting liquid (wet) or paste (dry)
electrolytic capacitor
A capacitor having an electrolyte between the two plates. A thin layer of oxide is deposited on only the positive plate. The oxide acts as the dielectric for the capacitor. Electrolytic capacitors are polarized and so must be connected in correct polarity to prevent breakdown.
electromagnet
A coil of wire usually wound on a soft iron or steel core. When current is passed through the coil a magnetic field is generated. The core provides an easy path for the magnetic lines of force. This concentrates the field in the core.
electromagnetic communication
Use of an electromagnetic wave to pass information between two points. Also called wireless communication.
electromagnetic induction
Voltage produced in a coil due to relative motion between the coil and magnetic lines of force.
electromagnetic spectrum
List or diagram showing the range of electromagnetic radiation.
electromagnetic wave
Wave that consists of both electric and magnetic variation.
electromagnetism
Relates to the magnetic field generated around a conductor when current is passed through it.
electromechanical transducer
Device that transforms electrical energy into mechanical energy (electric motor) or mechanical energy into electrical energy (generator).
electromotive force
(emf) Force that causes the motion of electrons due to potential difference between two points. (voltage)
electron
Smallest sub atomic particle of negative charge that orbits the nucleus of an atom.
electron flow
Electrical current produced by the movement of free electrons towards a positive terminal.
electrostatic
Related to static electric charge.
electrostatic field
Force field produced by static electrical charges.
emitter
The semiconductor region from which charge carriers are injected into the base of a bipolar junction transistor.
emitter feedback
Coupling from the emitter output to the base input of a bipolar junction transistor.
emitter follower
A common collector amplifier. Has a high current gain, high input impedance and low output impedance.
energized
Being electrically connected to a voltage source so the device is activated.
energy
Capacity to do work.
engineering notation
A floating point system in which numbers are expressed as products consisting of a number greater than one multiplied by an appropriate power of ten that is some multiple of three.
enhancement-mode MOSFET
A field effect transistor in which there are no charge carriers in the channel when the gate source voltage is zero.
equivalent resistance
Total resistance of all the individual resistances in a circuit.
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F

fall time
Time it takes the falling edge of a pulse to go from 90% of peak voltage to 10% of peak voltage.
farad
The basic unit of capacitance.
feedback
A portion of the output signal of an amplifier which is connected back to the input of the same amplifier.
feedback amplifier
An amplifier with an external signal path from its output back to its input.
ferrite
A powdered, compressed and sintered magnetic material having high resistively. The high resistance makes eddy current losses low at high frequencies.
ferrite bead
Ferrite composition in the form of a bead. Running a wire through the bead increases the inductance of the wire.
ferrite-core inductor
An inductor wound on a ferrite core.
ferrites
Compound composed of iron oxide, a metallic oxide and ceramic. The metal oxides include zinc, nickel, cobalt or iron.
ferrous
Composed of and or containing iron. A ferrous metal exhibits magnetic characteristics as opposed to non-ferrous material.
fiber optics
Laser's light output carries information that is conveyed between two points by thin glass optical fibers.
field effect transistor
(FET) A voltage controlled transistor in which the source to drain conduction is controlled by gate to source voltage.
filament
Thin thread of carbon or tungsten which produces heat or light with the passage of current.
filter
Network consisting of capacitors, resistors and/or inductors used to pass certain frequencies and block others.
flip flop
A bistable multivibrator. A circuit which has two output states and is switched from one to the other by means of an external signal (trigger).
floating ground
Common connection in a circuit that provides a return path for current but is not connected to an earth ground.
flow soldering
Flow or wave soldering technique in large scale electronic assembly to solder all the connections on a printed circuit board by moving the board over a wave of molten solder.
flux
Material used to remove oxide films from the surface of metals in preparation for soldering.
flux
In magnetism, the magnetic field consisting of lines of force.
flux density
The concentration of magnetic lines of force. Determines strength of the magnetic field.
flywheel effect
Sustaining effect of oscillation in an LC circuit.
forward bias
A PN junction bias which allows current to flow through the junction. Forward bias decreases the resistance of the depletion layer.
free electrons
Electrons that are not in any orbit around a nucleus.
free running multivibrator
A multivibrator that produces a continuous output waveform without any signal input. A square wave generator used to produce a clock signal.
frequency
Rate of recurrence of a periodic wave. Measured in Hertz (cycles per second).
frequency-division multiplex
(FDM) Transmission of two or more signals over a common path by using a different frequency band for each signal.
frequency-domain analysis
A method of representing a waveform by plotting its amplitude against frequency.
frequency meter
Meter used to measure frequency of periodic waves.
frequency multiplier
A harmonic conversion circuit in which the frequency of the output signal is an exact multiple of the input frequency.
frequency response
Indication of how well a circuit responds to different frequencies applied to it.
frequency response curve
A graph of amplitude over frequency indicating a circuit response to different frequencies.
full scale deflection
(FDS) Deflection of a meter's pointer to the farthest position on the scale.
full wave rectifier
Rectifier that makes use of the full AC wave in both the positive and negative half cycles.
function generator
Signal generator that can produce sine, square, triangle and sawtooth output waveforms.
fundamental frequency
Lowest frequency in a complex waveform.
fuse
A protective device in the current path that melts or breaks when current exceeds a predetermined maximum value

G

gain
Increase in voltage, current and/or power. Gain is expressed as a ratio of amplifier output value to the corresponding amplifier input value.
gain bandwidth product
A device parameter that indicates the maximum possible product of gain and bandwidth. The gain bandwidth product of a device is equal to the unity gain frequency (funity) of the device.
gamma rays
High frequency electromagnetic radiation from radio active particles.
ganged
Mechanical coupling of two or more capacitors, switches, potentiometers, or any other adjustable components so that adjusting one control will operate all.
gas
Any aeriform or completely elastic fluid which is not a solid or a liquid. Gasses are produced by heating a liquid beyond its boiling point.
geiger counter
Device used to detect nuclear particles.
generator
Device used to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy.
giga
Metric prefix for 1 billion (109).
ground
An intentional or accidental conducting path between an electrical system or circuit and the earth or some conducting body acting in place of the earth. A ground is often used as the common wiring point or reference in a circuit.
gunn diode
A semiconductor diode that utilizes the Gunn effect to produce microwave frequency oscillation or to amplify a microwave frequency signal.
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H

half power point
A frequency at which the power is 50% of maximum. This corresponds to 70.7% of maximum current or voltage.
h-parameters
(hybrid parameters)
Transistor specifications that describe the component operating limits under specific circumstances.
half wave rectifier
A diode rectifier that converts AC to pulsating DC by eliminating either the negative or the positive alternation of each input AC cycle.
harmonic
Sine wave that is smaller in amplitude and some multiple of a fundamental frequency. Example: 880 Hz. is the second harmonic of 440 Hz., 880 Hz. is the third harmonic of 220 Hz.
hartley oscillator
An oscillator that uses a tapped inductor in the feedback network.
henry
The basic unit of inductance.
HERTZ
(Hz.)
Unit of frequency. One hertz is equal to one cycle per second.
high fidelity
(Hi Fi)
Sound reproduction equipment that reproduces sound as near to the original sound as possible
high-pass filter
A tuned circuit designed to pass all frequencies above a desnigated cut-off frequency. Frequencies below the cut-off frequency are rejected or attenuated
high tension
Lethal voltage in the kilovolt range and above.
hole
A gap left in the covalent bond when a valence electron gains sufficient energy to jump to the conduction band
hologram
Three-dimensional picture created with a laser.
holography
The science dealing with three-dimensional optical recording.
horizontally polarized wave
Electromagnetic wave that has the electric field in the horizontal plane.
hybrid circuit
Circuit that combines two technologies (passive and active or discrete and integrated components) onto one microelectronic circuit. Passive components are usual made by thin film techniques, while active components are made with semiconductor techniques.
hysteresis
Amount that the magnetization of a material lags the magnetizing force due to molecular friction. In Schmitt Trigger circuits, the difference between the upper and lower trigger points.
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I

IC
Abbreviation for "integrated circuit"
IC voltage regulator
Three terminal device used to hold the output voltage of a power supply constant over a wide range of load variations.
IGFET
Insulated gate field effect transistor. Another name for a "MOSFET."
impedance
(Z) Measured in ohms it is the total opposition to the flow of current offered by a circuit. Impedance consists of the vector sum of resistance and reactance.
impedance coupling
Coupling of two signal amplifier circuits through the use of an impedance such as a inductor.
impedance matching
Matching the output impedance of a source to the input impedance of a load to attain maximum power transfer.
incandescence
State of a material when heated to the point where it emits light. (red hot or white hot).
induced voltage
Voltage generated in a conductor when subjected to a moving magnetic field.
inductance
Property of a circuit to oppose a change in current. The moving magnetic field produced by a change in current causes an induced voltage to oppose the original change.
inductive circuit
Circuit having greater inductive reactance than capacitive reactance.
inductive reactance
Opposition to the flow of AC current produced by an inductor. Measured in Ohms and varies in direct proportion to frequency.
inductor
Length of conductor used to introduce inductance into a circuit. The conductor is usually wound into a coil to concentrate the magnetic lines of force and maximize the inductance. While any conductor has inductance, in common usage the term inductor usually refers to a coil.
infrared
Electromagnetic heat radiation whose frequencies are above the microwave frequency band and below red in the visible band.
inhibit
To stop an action or block data from passing.
in phase
When two or more waves of the same frequency have their positive and negative peaks occurring at the same time.
input impedance
Opposition to the flow of signal current at the input of a circuit or load.
insulated
When a non conducting material is used to isolate conducting materials from one another.
insulating material
Material that will prevent the flow of current due to its chemical composition.
insulation resistance
Resistance of insulating material. The greater the insulation resistance, the better the insulation.
integrated
When two or more components are combined into a circuit and then incorporated into a single package.
integrator
A device that approximates and whose output is proportional to an integral of the input signal. A low pass filter.
intermediate frequency amplifier
In a superheterodyne radio it amplifies a fixed frequency lower than the received radio frequency and higher than the audio frequency.
intermittent
A fault occurring at random intervals of time. Intermittent problems are often difficult to locate because of the random nature. They often don't occur when the technician is present.
internal resistance
Every source has some resistance in series with the output current. When current is drawn from the source some power is lost due to the voltage drop across the internal resistance. Usually called output impedance or output resistance.
intrinsic material
A semiconductor material with electrical properties essentially characteristic of ideal pure crystal. Essentially silicon or germanium crystal with no measurable impurities.
intrinsic stand-off ratio
A unijunction transistor (UJT) rating used to determine the firing potential of the device.
inverting amplifier
An amplifier that has a 180° phase shift from input to output.
inverting input
In an operational amplifier (op amp) the input that is marked with a minus sign. A signal applied at the inverting input will be given 180° phase shift between input and output.
ion
An atom with fewer electrons in orbit than the number of protons in the nucleus is a positive ion. An atom with a greater number of electrons in orbit than the number of protons in the nucleus is a negative ion.
ionized
Atoms become ionized when they gain or lose a valence electron.
================================================== =====================

J

j
A prefix used to indicate an imaginary number
. (Operator j)
jack
Socket or connector into which a plug may be inserted.
JFET
Abbreviation for "Junction field effect transistor".
joule
The unit of work and energy.
junction
Contact or connection between two or more wires or cables. The area where the p-type material and n-type material meet in a semiconductor.
junction diode
diode. A semiconductor diode in which the rectifying characteristics occur at a junction between the n-type and p-type semiconductor materials.
================================================== ===============

K

kilo
Metric prefix for 1000
. (103)
kilovolt-ampere
1000 volts at 1 ampere.
kilowatt-hour
1000 watts for 1 hour.
kilowatt-hour meter
A meter used by electric utility companies to measure the amount of electric power used by a customer.
kinetic energy
Energy associated with motion.
Kirchhoff"s current law
The sum of the currents flowing into a point in a circuit is equal to the sum of the currents flowing out of that same point.
Kirchhoff"s voltage law
The algebraic sum of the voltage drops in a closed path circuit is equal to the algebraic sum of the source voltages applied.
knee voltage
The voltage at which a curve joins two relatively straight portions of a characteristic curve. For a PN junction diode, the point in the forward operating region of the characteristic curve where conduction starts to increase rapidly. For a zener diode, the term is often used in reference to the zener voltage rating

L

lag
Difference in time between two waveforms of the same frequency expressed in degrees. Example: One waveform lags another waveform by a certain number of degrees.
laminated core
Core made up of sheets of magnetic material insulated from one another by an oxide or varnish.
lamp
Device that produces light.
laser
Device that produces a very narrow intense beam of light. The name is an axcronym for "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.
lead
The angle by which one alternating signal leads another in time. Opposite of lag. Also a wire that connects two points in a circuit.
lead-acid cell
Cell made up of lead plates immersed in a sulphuric acid electrolyte. An automobile battery usually consists of six lead-acid cells.
leakage
Small undesirable flow of current through an insulator or dielectric.
LED
Abbreviation for "light emitting diode."
left-hand-rule
If fingers of the left hand are placed around a wire so that the thumb points in the direction of electron flow, the fingers will be pointing in the direction of the magnetic field being produced by the conductor.
Lenz's law
The current induced in a circuit due to a change in the magnetic field is so directed as to oppose the flux, or to exert a mechanical force to oppose the motion.
level detector
An op-amp circuit that compares two inputs and provides a DC output indicating the polarity relationship between the inputs. A comparitor.
lie detector
Piece of electronic equipment also called a polygraph used to determine whether a person is telling the truth by looking for dramatic changes in blood pressure, body temperature, breathing rate, heart rate and skin moisture in response to questions.
light
Electromagnetic radiation in a band of frequencies that can be received by the human eye.
lifetime
The time from the creation of an electron hole pair until recombination occurs.
light-emitting diode
A semiconductor diode that converts electric energy into electromagnetic radiation at a visible and near infrared frequencies when its pn junction is forward biased.
limiter
Circuit or device that prevents some portion of its input from reaching the output. A clipper.
linear
Relationship between input and output in which the output varies in direct proportion to the input.
linear scale
A scale in which the divisions are uniformly spaced.
line regulation
The ability of a voltage regulator to maintain a constant voltage when the regulator input voltage varies.
live
Term used to describe a circuit or piece of equipment that is on and has current flow within it.
load
A source drives a load. Whatever component or piece of equipment is connected to a source and draws current from a source is a load on that source.
load current
Current drawn from a source by a load.
load impedance
Vector sum of reactance and resistance in a load.
loading effect
Large load impedance will draw a small load current and so loading of the source is small. (light load). A small load impedance will draw a large load current from the source. (heavy load).
load regulation
The ability of a voltage regulator to maintain a constant output voltage under varying load currents.
load resistance
Resistance of a load.
logic
Science of dealing with the principle and applications of gates, relays and switches.
loss
Term used to describe a decrease in power.
low pass filter
A tuned circuit designed to pass all frequencies below a designated cut-off frequency.
================================================== ======================

M

magnet
Body that can be used to attract or repel magnetic materials.
magnetic circuit breaker
Circuit breaker that is tripped or activated by use of an electromagnet.
magnetic coil
Spiral of a conductor which is called an electromagnet.
magnetic core
Material that exists in the center of the magnetic coil to either physically support the windings (non-magnetic material) or to concentrate the magnetic flux (magnetic material).
magnetic field
Magnetic lines of force traveling from the north pole to the south pole of a magnet.
magnetic flux
The magnetic lines of force produced by a magnet.
magnetic leakage
The passage of magnetic flux outside the path along which it can do useful work.
magnetic poles
Points of a magnet from which magnetic lines of force leave (north pole) and arrive (south pole).
magnetism
Property of some materials to attract or repel others.
magnetizing force
Also called magnetic field strength. It is the magnetomotive force per unit length at any given point in a magnetic circuit.
magnetomotive force
Force that produces a magnetic field.
majority carriers
The conduction band electrons in an n-type material and the valence band holes in a p-type material. Produced by pentavalent impurities in n-type material and trivalent impurities in p-type material.
matched impedance
Condition that occurs when the output impedance of a source is equal to the input impedance of a load.
matching
Connection of two components or circuits so that maximum power is transferred between the two.
maximum power transfer
A theorem that states that maximum power will be transferred from source to load when input impedance of the load equals the output impedance of the source.
Maxwell
Unit of magnetic flux. One maxwell equals one magnetic line of force.
mercury cell
Primary cell using a mercuric oxide cathode, a zinc anode and a potassium hydroxide electrolyte.
metal film resistor
A resistor in which a film of metal oxide or alloy is deposited on an insulating substrate.
metal oxide field effect transistor
(MOSFET) A field effect transistor in which the insulating layer betwen the gate electrode and the channel is a metal oxide layer.
metal oxide resistor
A metal film resistor in which an oxide of metal (such as tin) is deposited as a film onto the substrate.
meter
Any electrical or electronic measuring device. In the metric system, it is the unit of length equal to 39.37 inches.
meter FSD current
Value of meter current needed to cause the needle to deflect to its maximum position (full scale deflection).
meter resistance
DC resistance of the meter's armature coil.
mica capacitor
Capacitor using mica as the dielectric.
microphone
Electroacoustic transducer that converts sound energy into electric energy.
microwave
Band of very short wavelength radio waves within the UHF, SHF and EHF bands.
midband gain
Gain of an amplifier operating within its bandwidth.
mid-point bias
An amplifier biased at the center of its DC load line.
mil
One thousandth of an inch (0.001 in.)
Miller's theorem
A theorem that allows you to represent a feedback capacitor as equivalent input and output shunt capacitors.
minority carriers
The conduction band holes in n-type material and valence band electrons in p-type material. Most minority carriers are produced by temperature rather than by doping with impurities.
mismatch
Term used to describe a difference between the output impedance of a source and the input impedance of a load. A mismatch prevents the maximum transfer of power from source to load.
modulation
Process by which an information signal (audio for example) is used to modify some characteristic of a higher frequency wave known as a carrier (radio for example).
monostable multivibrator
A multivibrator with one stable output state. When triggered, the circuit output will switch to the unstable state for a predetermined period of time and then return to the stable state. A timer.
molecule
Smallest particle of a compound that still retains its characteristics.
MOSFET
Abbreviation for "metal oxide field effect transistor" also known as an "insulated gate field effect transistor). A field effect transistor in which the insulating layer between the gate electrode and the channel is a metal oxide layer.
moving coil microphone
Microphone that uses a moving coil within a fixed magnetic field. Dynamic microphone.
moving coil pick-up
Dynamic phonograph pick-up in which the stylus causes a coil to move within a fixed magnetic field.
moving coil loudspeaker
Loudspeaker that uses a moving "voice coil" placed within a fixed magnetic field. Audio frequency current in the voice coil causes movement which is mechanically transferred to the speaker cone. Also known as a dynamic loudspeaker.
multimeter
Electronic test equipment that can perform multiple tasks. Typically one capable of measuring voltage, current and resistance. More sophisticated modern digital multimeters also measure capacitance, inductance, current gain of transistors and/or anything else that can be measured electronically.
multiplier resistor
Resistor connected in series with a moving coil meter movement to extend the voltage ranges.
multisegmant display
Device made of several light emitting diodes arranged in a numeric or alphanumeric pattern. By lighting selected segments numeric or alphabet characters can be displayed.
multivibrator
A class of circuits designed to produce square waves or pulses. Astable multivibrators produce continuous pulses without an external stimulus or trigger. Monostable multivibrators produce a single pulse for some predetermined period of time only when triggered. Bistable multivibrators produce a DC output which is stable in either one of two states. Either high or low. An external stimulus or trigger is required for the bistable circuit to change states, either high to low or low to high.
mutual inductance
Ability of one inductor's lines of force to link with another inductor.
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N

n-type semiconductor
A semiconductor compound formed by doping an intrinsic semiconductor with a pentavalent element. An n-type material contains an excess of conduction band electrons.
negative
Terminal that has an excess of electrons.
negative charge
A charge that has more electrons than protons
negative feedback
A feedback signal 180° out of phase with an amplifier input signal. Used to increase amplifier stability, bandwidth and input impedance. Also reduces distortion.
negative ground
A system where the negative terminal of the source is connected to the system's metal chassis.
negative ion
An atom having a greater number of electrons in orbit than there are protons in the nucleus.
negative resistance
A resistance such that when the current through it increases the voltage drop across the resistance decreases.
negative temperature coefficient
A term used to describe a component whose resistance or capacitance decreases when temperature increases.
neon bulb
Glass envelope filled with neon gas which when ionized by an applied voltage will glow red.
network
Combination of interconnected components, circuits or systems.
neutral
A terminal, point or object with balanced charges. Neither positive or negative.
neutral atom
An atom in which the number of negative charges (electrons in orbit) is equal to the number of positive charges (protons in the nucleus).
neutral wire
The conductor of a polyphase circuit or a single-phase three wire circuit that is intended to have a ground potential. The potential difference between the neutral and each of the other conductors are approximately equal in magnitude and equally spaced in phase.
neutron
Subatomic particle in the nucleus of an atom and having no electrical charge.
nickel-cadmium cell
A secondary cell that uses a nickel oxide positive electrode and a cadmium negative electrode.
node
Junction or branch point in a circuit.
noise
Unwanted electromagnetic radiation within an electrical or mechanical system.
An operational amplifier circuit having no phase inversion between the input and output.
non-inverting input
The terminal on an operational amplifier that is identified by a plus sign.
non-linear scale
A scale in which the divisions are not equally spaced.
normal closed
Designation which states that the contacts of a switch or relay are closed or connected when at rest. When activated, the contacts open or separated.
normally open
Designation which states that the contacts of a switch or relay are normally open or not connected. When activated the contacts close or become connected.
north pole
Pole of a magnet out of which magnetic lines of force are assumed to originate.
Norton's theorem
Any network of voltage sources and resistors can be replace by a single current source in parallel with a single resistor.
notch filter
A filter which blocks a narrow band of frequencies and passes all frequencies above and below the band.
npn transistor
A bipolar junction transistor in which a p-type base element is sandwiched between an n-type emitter and an n-type collector.
nucleus
Core of an atom. The nucleus contains both positive (protons) and neutral (neutrons) subatomic particles.
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O

octave
Interval between two sounds whose fundamental frequencies differ by a ratio of 2 to 1. 440 Hz. is one octave above 220 Hz.
offset null
An op amp control pin used to eliminate the effects of internal component voltages on the output of the device.
ohm
Unit of resistance symbolized by the Greek capital letter omega (W).
ohmmeter
Device used to measure electrical resistance.
Ohm's law
Relationship between voltage, current and resistance. Ohm's law states that current in a resistance varies in direct proportion to voltage applied and inversely proportional to resistance.
Ohms per volt
Refers to a value of ohms per volt of full scale defection for a moving coil meter movement. The number of ohms per volt is the reciprocal of the amount of current required to produce full scale deflection of the needle. A meter requiring 50 microamps for full scale deflection has an internal resistance of 20 kW per volt. The higher the ohms per volt rating, the more sensitive the meter.
one-shot
Monostable multivibrator.
op-amp
Abbreviation for operational amplifier.
open loop gain
Gain of an amplifier when no feedback is present.
open loop mode
An amplifier circuit having no means of comparing the output with the input. (No feedback.)
operational amplifier
A high gain DC amplifier that has a high input impedance and a low output impedance. Op-amps are the most basic type of linear integrated circuits.
oscillate
To produce a continuous output waveform without an input signal present.
oscillator
An electronic circuit that produces a continuous output waveform with only DC applied.
oscilloscope
An instrument used to display a signal graphically. Shows signal amplitude, period and waveshape in addition to any DC voltage present. A multiple trace oscilloscope can show two or more waveforms at the same time for phase comparison and timing measurements.
out of phase
When the maximum and minimum points of two or more waveshapes do not occur at the same time.
output
Terminal at which a component, circuit or piece of equipment delivers current, voltage or power.
output impedance
Impedance measured across the output terminals of a device without a load connected.
output power
Amount of power a component, circuit or system can deliver to a load.
overload
Condition that occurs when the load is greater than the system was designed to handle. (Load resistance too small, load current too high.) Overload results in waveform distortion and/or overheating.
overload protection
Protective device such as a fuse or circuit breaker that automatically disconnects a load when current exceeds a predetermined value

p

Ppaper capacitor
Fixed capacitor using oiled or waxed paper as a dielectric.
parallel
Circuit having two or more paths for current flow. Also called shunt.
parallel resonant circuit
Circuit having an inductor and a capacitor in parallel with one another. Circuit offers a high impedance at resonant frequency. Sometimes called a "tank circuit."
pass band
The range of frequencies that will be passed and amplified by a tuned amplifier. Also the range of frequencies passed by a band pass filter.
passive component
Component that does not amplify a signal. Resistors and capacitors are examples.
passive filter
A filter that contains only passive or non amplifying components.
passive system
System that emits no energy. It only receives. It does not transmit or reveal its position.
peak
Maximum or highest amplitude level.
peak inverse voltage
(PIV) The maximum rated value of a AC voltage acting in the direction opposite to that in which a device is designed to pass current.
peak to peak
Difference between the maximum positive and maximum negative values of an AC waveform.
pentavalent element
Element whose atoms have five valence electrons. Used in doping intrinsic silicon or germanium to produce n-type semiconductor material. Most commonly used pentavalent materials are arsenic and phosphorus.
percent of regulation
The change in output voltage that occurs between no-load and full-load in a DC voltage source. Dividing this change by the full-load value and multiplying the result by 100 gives percent regulation.
percent of ripple
The ratio of the effective rms value of ripple voltage to the average value of the total voltage. Expressed as a percentage.
period
Time to complete one full cycle of a periodic or repeating waveform.
permanence
Magnetic equivalent of magnetic inductance and consequently equal to the reciprocal of reluctance, just as conductance is equal to the reciprocal of resistance.
permanent magnet
Magnet normally made of hardened steel that retains its magnetism indefinitely.
permeability
Measure of how m how much better a material is as a path for magnetic lines of force with respect to air which has a permeability of one. Symbolized by the Greek lower case letter mu (m).
phase
Angular relationship between two waves.
phase angle
Phase difference between two or more waves, normally expressed in degrees.
phase shift
Change in phase of a wave form between two points, expressed as degrees of lead or lag.
phase shift oscillator
An oscillator that uses three RC networks in its feedback path to produce the 180° phase shift required for oscillation.
phase splitter
Circuit that takes a single input signal and produces two output signals that are 180° apart in phase.
phonograph
Piece of equipment used to reproduce sound stored on a disk called a phonograph record.
phosphor
Luminescent material applied to the inner face of a cathode ray tube that when bombarded with electrons will emit light of various colors.
photoconductive cell
Material whose resistance decreases or conductance increases when exposed to light.
photoconduction
A process by which the conductance of a material is change by incident electromagnetic radiation in the visible light spectrum.
photodetector
Component used to detect or sense light.
photodiode
A semiconductor diode that changes its electrical characteristics in response to illumination.
photometer
Meter used to measure light intensity.
photon
Discrete portion of electromagnetic energy. A small packet of light.
photoresistor
Also known as a photoconductive cell or light dependent resistor. (LDR) A device whose resistance decreases with exposure to light.
photovoltaic cell
Component commonly called a solar cell used to convert light energy into electrical energy.
pi
Value representing the ratio between the circumference and diameter of a circle and equal to approximately 3.142.
pierce oscillator
A variation of the colpitts oscillator. This oscillator uses a quartz crystal in place of the inductor found in the colpitts oscillator feedback network. The crystal maintains a highly stable output frequency.
piezoelectric crystal
Crystal material that will generate a voltage when mechanical pressure is applied and conversely will undergo mechanical stress when subjected to a voltage.
piezoelectric effect
The production of a voltage between opposite sides of a piezoelectric crystal as a result of pressure or twisting. Also the reverse effect which the application of a voltage to opposite sides causes a deformation to occur at the frequency of the applied voltage. (Converts mechanical energy into electrical energy and electrical energy into mechanical energy.)
pinch-off region
A region on the characteristic curve of a FET in which the gate bias causes the depletion region to extend completely across the channel.
plastic film capacitor
Capacitor in which alternate layers of aluminum foil are separated by thin films of plastic dialectric.
plate
Conductive electrode in either a capacitor or battery. In vacuum tube technology, it is the name given to the anode.
plug
Movable connector that is normally connected into a socket or jack.
pnp transistor
A bipolar junction transistor with an n-type base and p-type emitter and collector.
pole
In an active filter, a single RC circuit. A one pole filter has one capacitor and one resistor. A two pole filter has two RC circuits and so on.
polar coordinates
Either of two numbers that locate a point in a plane by its distance from a fixed point and the angle this line makes with a fixed line.
polarity
Term used to describe positive and negative charges.
polarized
A component which must be connected in correct polarity to function and/or d/or prevent destruction. Example: Electrolytic capacitor.
positive
Polarity of point that attracts electrons as opposed to negative which supplies electrons.
positive charge
A charge that exists in a body that has fewer electrons than protons.
positive feedback
A feedback signal that is in phase with an amplifier input signal. Positive feedback is necessary for oscillation to occur.
positive ground
A system whereby the positive terminal of the source is connected to the system's conducting chassis.
positive ion
Atom that has lost one or more valence electrons resulting in a net positive charge.
potential difference
Voltage difference between two points which will cause current to flow in a closed circuit.
potential energy
Energy that has potential to do work because of its position relative to others.
potentiometer
A variable resistor with three terhree terminals. Mechanical turning of a shaft can be used to produce variable resistance and potential. Example: A volume control is usually a potentiometer.
power
Amount of energy converted by a circuit or component in a unit of time, normally seconds. Measured in units of watts. (joules/second).
power amplifier
An amplifier designed to deliver maximum power output to a load. Example: In an audio system, it is the power amplifier that drives the loudspeaker.
power derating factor
A transistor rating that tells how much the maximum allowable value of PD decreased for each 1°C rise in ambient temperature.
power dissipation
Amount of heat energy generated by a device in one second when current flows through it.
power factor
Ratio of actual power to apparent power.
power loss
Ratio of power absorbed to power delivered.
power supply
Electrical equipment used to deliver either AC or DC voltage.
power supply rejection ratio
A measure of an op-amps ability to maintain a constant output when the supply voltage varies.
primary
First winding of a transformer. Winding that is connected to the source as opposed to secondary which is a winding connected to a load.
primary cell
Cell that produces electrical energy through an internal electrochemical action. Once discharged a primary cell cannot be reused.
printed circuit board
Insulating board containing conductive tracks for circuit connections.
programmable UJT
Unijunction transistor with a variable intrinsic stand-off ratio.
propagation
Traveling of electromagnetic, electrical or sound waves through a medium.
propagation delay
Time required for a signal to pass through a device or circuit.
propagation time
Time required for a wave to travel between two points.
protoboard
Board with provision for attaching components without solder. Also called a breadboard. Primarily used for constructing experimental circuits.
proton
Sub atomic particle within the nucleus of an atom. Has a positive charge.
pulse
Rise and fall of some quantity (usually voltage) for a period of time.
pulse fall time
Time for a pulse to decrease from 90% of its peak value to 10% of its peak value.
pulse repetition frequency
The number of times per second that a pulse is transmitted. Pulse rate.
pulse repetition time
Time interval between the start of two consecutive pulses.
pulse rise time
Time required for a pulse to increase from 10% of its peak value to 90% of its peak value.
pulse width
Time interval between the leading edge and trailing edge of a pulse at a point where the amplitude is 50% of the peak value.
push>push-pull amplifier
Amplifier using two active devices operating 180° apart.
Pythagorean theorem
A theorem in geometry: The square of the hypotenuse of a right triangle equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides. In electronics used for vector analysis of AC circuits
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Q

Q
Quality factor of an inductor or capacitor. It is the ratio of a component's reactance (energy stored) to its effective series resistance (energy dissipated). For a tuned circuit, a figure of merrit used in bandwidth calculations. Q is the ratio of reactive power to resistive power in a tuned circuit. Also the symbol for charge in coulombs (Q for quantity).
quiescent
At rest. For an amplifier the term is used to describe a condition with no active input signal.
quiescent point
(Q point) A point on the DC load line of a given amplifier that represents the quiescent (no signal) value of output voltage and current for the circuit.
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R

radar
Acronym for "radio detection and ranging" A system that measures the distance and direction of objects.
radioastronomy
Branch of astronomy that studies the radio waves generated by celestial bodies and uses these emissions to obtain information about them.
radio broadcast
Transmission of music, voice and other information on radio carrier waves that can be received by the general public.
radio communication
Term used to describe the transfer of information between two or more points by use of radio or electromagnetic waves.
radio-frequency amplifier
Amplifier having one or more active devices to amplify radio signals.
radio-frequency generator
Generator capable of supplying RF energy at any desired frequency in the radio-frequency spectrum.
radio-frequency probe
Probe used in conjunction with an AC meter to measure radio-frequency signals.
RC
Abbreviation for "resistance capacitance" also abbreviation for "radio controled" as in "RC model airplanes."
RC time constant
Product of resistance and capacitance in seconds.
reactance
Symbol "X". Opposition to current flow without the dissipation of energy. Example: The opposition provided by inductance or capacitance to AC current.
reactive power
Also called imaginary power or wattless power. It is the power value in "volt amps" obtained from the product of source voltage and source current in a reactive circuit.
real number
Number having no imaginary part.
receiver
Unit or piece of equipment used to receive information.
recombination
Process by which a conduction band electron gives up energy (in the form of heat or light) and falls into a valence band hole.
rectangular coordinates
A Cartesian coordinate of a Cartesian coordinate system whose straight-line axes or coordinate planes are perpendicular.
rectangular wave
Also known as a pulse wave. A repeating wave that only operates between two levels or values and remains at one of these values for a small amount of time relative to the other value.
rectification
Process that converts alternating current to direct current.
rectifier
Diode circuit that converts alternating current into pulsating direct current.
reed relay
Relay consisting of two thin magnetic strips within a glass envelope. When a coil around the envelope is energized, the relay's contacts snap together making a connection between leads attached to the reed strips.
regenerative feedback
Positive feedback. Feedback from the output of an amplifier to the input such that the feedback signal is in phase with the input signal. Used to produce oscillation.
regulated power supply
Power supply that maintains a constant output voltage under changing load conditions.
regulator
Device or circuit that maintains a desired output under changing conditions.
relay
Electromechanical device that opens or closes contacts when a current is passed through a coil.
relative
Not independent. Compared with or with respect to some other measured quantity.
relaxation oscillator
Free running circuit that outputs pulses with a period dependent or one or more RC time constants.
reluctance
Resistance to the flow of magnetic lines of force.
remanence
Amount a material remains magnetized after the magnetizing force has been removed.
residual magnetism
Magnetism remaining in the core of an electromagnet after the coil current is removed.
resistance
Symbolized "R" and measured in ohms. Opposition to current flow and dissipation of energy in the form of heat.
resistive power
Amount of power dissipated as heat in a circuit containing resistive and reactive components. True power as opposed to reactive power.
resistive temperature detector
(RTD) Temperature detector consisting of a fine coil of conducting wire (such as platinum) that will produce a relatively linear increase in resistance as temperature increases.
receptivity
Measure of a material's resistance to current flow.
resistor
Component made of material that opposes flow of current and therefore has some value of resistance.
resistor color code
Coding system of colored stripes on a resistor to indicate the resistor's value and tolerance.
resonance
Circuit condition that occurs at the frequency where inductive reactance (XL) equals capacitive reactance (XC).
reverse bias
Bias on a PN junction that allows only leakage current (minority carriers) to flow. Positive polarity on the n-type material and negative polarity to the p-type material.
reverse breakdown voltage
Amount of reverse bias that will cause a PN junction to break down and conduct in the reverse direction.
reverse current
Current through a diode when reverse biased. An extremely small current also referred to as leakage.
reverse saturation current
Reverse current through a diode caused by thermal activity. This current is not affected by the amount of reverse bias on the component, but does vary with temperature.
RF
Abbreviation for "radio frequency."
rheostat
Two terminal variable resistor used to control current.
right angle triangle
Triangle having a 90° or square corner.
ripple frequency
Frequency of the ripple present in the output of a DC source.
ripple voltage
The small variations in Dc voltage that remain after filtering in a power supply.
rise time
Time for the leading edge of a pulse to rise from 10% of its peak value to 90% of its peak value.
RL differentiator
An RL circuit whose output voltage is proportional to the rate of change of the input voltage.
RL filter
Selective circuit of resistors and inductors that offers little or no opposition to certain frequencies while blocking or attenuating other frequencies.
RL integrator
RL circuit with an output proportionate to the integral of the input signal.
rms
Abbreviation for "root mean square"
rms value
Rms value of an AC sine wave is 0.707 times the peak value. This is the effective value of an AC sine wave. The rms value of a sine wave is the value of a DC voltage that would produce the same amount of heat in a heating element.
roll-off rate
Rate of change in gain when an amplifier is operated outside of its bandwidth.
rotary switch
Electromechanical device that has a rotating shaft connected to one terminal capable of making or breaking a connection to one or more other terminals.
R-2R ladder
Network or circuit composed of a sequence of L networks connected
in tandem. Circuit used in digital to analog converters

S

saturation
Condition in which a further increase in one variable produces no further increase in the resultant effect. In a bipolar junction transistor, the condition when the emitter to collector voltage is less than the emitter to base voltage. This condition puts forward bias on the base to collector junction.
sawtooth wave
Repeating waveform that rises from zero to maximum value linearly drops back to zero and repeats. A ramp waveform.
scale
Set of markings used for measurement.
schematic diagram
Illustration of an electrical or electronic circuit with the components represented by their symbols.
Schmitt trigger
Circuit to convert a given waveform to a square wave output.
Schottky diode
High speed diode that has very little junction capacitance. Also known as a "hot-carrier diode" or a "surface-barrier diode."
scientific notation
Numbers entered as a number from one to ten multiplied by a power of ten. Example: 8765 = 8.765 × 103.
secondary
Output winding of a transformer. Winding that is connected to a load.
secondary cell
Electrolytic cell used to store electricity. Once discharged may be restored by recharging by putting current through the cell in the direction opposite to that of discharge current.
selectivity
Charistic of a circuit to discriminate between wanted and unwanted signals.
self biasing
Gate bias for a field effect transistor in which source current through a resistor produces the voltage for gate to source bias.
self inductance
Property that causes a counter electromotive force to be produced in a conductor when the magnetic field expands or collapses with a change of current.
semiconductor
An element which is neither a good conductor or a good insulator, but rather lies somewhere between the two. Characterized by a valence shell containing four electrons. Silicon, germanium and carbon are the semiconductors most frequently used in electronics.
series circuit
Circuit in which the components are connected end to end so that current has only one path to follow through the circuit.
series parallel network
Network that contains components connected in both series and parallel.
series resonance
Condition that occurs in a series LC circuit at the frequency where inductive reactance equals capacitive reactance. Impedance is minimum, current is maximum limited only by resistance in the circuit.
seven segment display
Device made of several light emitting diodes arranged in a numeric or alphanumeric pattern. By lighting selected segments numeric or alphabet characters can be displayed.
shells or bands
Orbital path containing a group of electrons having a common energy level.
shield
Metal grounded cover used to protect a wire, component or piece of equipment from stray magnetic and/or electric fields.
short circuit
Also called a short. Low resistance connection between two points in a circuit typically causing excessive current.
shunt resistor
Resistor connected in parallel or in shunt with another component or circuit.
signal
Electrical quantity that conveys information.
signal to noise ratio
Ratio of the magnitude of the signal to the magnitude of noise usually expressed in decibels.
silicon
(Si) Non metallic element (atomic number 14) used in pure form as a semiconductor.
silicon-controlled rectifier
(SCR) Three terminal active device that acts as a gated diode. The gate terminal is used to turn the device on allowing current to pass from cathode to anode.
silicon controlled switch
An SCR with an added terminal called an anode gate. A positive pulse either at the anode gate or the cathode gate will turn the device on.
silicon dioxide
Glass like material used as the gate insulating material in a MOSFET.
silicon transistor
A bipolar junction transistor using silicon as the semi conducting material.
silver
(Ag) Precious metal that does not easily corrode and is more conductive than copper.
silver mica capacitor
Mica capacitor with silver deposited directly onto the mica sheets instead of using conductive metal foil.
silver solder
Solder composed of silver, copper and zinc. Has a melting point lower than pure silver, but higher than lead-tin solder.
simplex
Communication in only one direction at a time. Example: FAX.
simulcast
Broadcasting a program simultaneously in two different forms, for example a program broadcast in both AM and FM.
sine
Sine of an angle of a right angle triangle is equal to the opposite side divided by the hypotenuse.
sine wave
Wave whose amplitude is the sine of a linear function of time. It is plotted on a graph that plots amplitude against time or radial degrees relative to the angular rotation of an alternator.
single in-line package
Package containing several electronic components (generally resistors) with a single row of connecting pins.
single pole double throw
(SPDT) Three terminal switch in which one terminal can be connected to either one of the other terminals.
single pole single throw
(SPST) Two terminal switch or relay that can open or close one circuit.
single sideband
(SSB) AM radio communication technique in which the transmitter suppresses one sideband and therefore transmits only a single sideband.
single throw switch
Switch containing only one set of contacts which can be either opened or closed.
sink
Device such as a load that consumes power or conducts away heat.
sintering
Process of bonding either a metal or powder by cold pressing it into a desired shape and then heating to form a strong cohesive body.
sinusoidal
Varying in proportion to the sine of an angle or time function. AC voltage in which the instantaneous value is equal to the sine of the phase angle times the peak value.
SIP
Abbreviation for "single in-line package."
skin effect
Tendency of high-frequency (rf) currents to flow near the surface layer of a conductor.
slew rate
The maximum rate at which the output voltage of an op-amp can change.
slide switch
Switch having a sliding button, bar or knob.
slow acting relay
Slow operating relay that when energized may not pull up the armature for several seconds.
slow-blow fuse
Fust that can withstand a heavy current (up to ten times its rated value) for a small period of time before it opens.
snap switch
Switch containing a spring under tension or compression that causes the contacts to come together suddenly when activated.
SNR
Abbreviation for "signal to noise ratio."
soft magnetic material
Ferromagnetic material that is easily demagnetized.
software
Program of instructions that directs the operation of a computer.
solar cell
Photovoltaic cell that converts light into electric energy. Especially useful as a power source for space vehicles.
solder
Metallic alloy used to join two metal surfaces.
soldering
Process of joining two metallic surfaces to make an electrical contact by melting solder (usually tin and lead) across them.
soldering iron
Tool with an internal heating element used to heat surfaces being soldered to the point where the solder becomes molten.
solenoid
An air core coil. Equipped with a movable iron core the solenoid will produce motion. As a result of current through the coil the iron core is pulled into the center of the winding. When the coil is deenergized, a spring pulls the movable core away from the center of the winding. Mechanical devices connected to the movable core are made to move as a result of current through the coil. Example: Electric door locks on some automobiles.
solid conductor
Conductor having a single solid wire instead of strands of fine wire twisted together.
solid state
Pertaining to circuits where signals pass through solid semiconductor material such as transistors and diodes as opposed to vacuum tubes where signals pass through a vacuum.
sonar
Acronym for "sound navigation and ranging." A system using reflected sound waves to determine the position of some target.
sonic
Pertaining to sound.
sound wave
Pressure waves propagated through air or other plastic media. Sound waves are generally audible to the human ear if the frequency is between approximately 20 and 20,000 vibrations per second. (hertz)
source
Device that provides signal power or energy to a load.
source follower
FET amplifier in which signal is applied between gate and drain with output taken between source and drain. Also called "common drain."
source impedance
Impedance through which output current is taken from a source.
south pole
Pole of a magnet into which magnetic lines of force are assumed to enter.
spark
Momentary discharge of electrical energy due to ionization of air or other dielectric material separating two charges.
SPDT
Single pole double throw.
speaker
Also called "loudspeaker." Transducer that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy at audio frequencies.
spectrum
Arrangement or display of light or other forms of electromagnetic radiation separated according to wavelength, energy or some other property.
spectrum analyzer
Instrument used to display the frequency domain of a waveform plotting amplitude against frequency.
speed-up capacitor
Capacitor added to the base circuit of a BJT switching circuit to improve the switching time of the device.
SPST
Abbreviation for "single pole single throw."
square wave
Wave that alternates between two fixed values for an equal amount of time.
static
Crackling noise heard on AM radio receivers. Caused by electric storms or electric devices.
static electricity
Stationary electric charges.
static reverse current
Reverse current through a zener diode when the reverse voltage across the diode is less than the zener voltage rating of the device.
stator
Stationary part of some rotary device such as a variable capacitor.
step-down transformer
Transformer in which the output AC voltage is less than the input AC voltage.
step-up transformer
Transformer in which the output AC voltage is greater than the input AC voltage.
stereo sound
System in which reproduced sound is delivered through two or more channels to give a sense of direction to the source.
stop band
Range of frequencies outside the pass band of a tuned amplifier.
storage time
In a BJT switching circuit, it is the time required for collector current to drop from 100% to 90% of its maximum value.
stranded conductor
Conductor composed of a group of strands of wire twisted together.
stray capacitance
Undesirable capacitance that exists between two conductors such as two leads or one lead and a metal chassis.
subassembly
Components contained in a unit for convenience in assembling or servicing equipment.
subatomic
Particles such as electrons, protons and neutrons that are smaller than atoms.
substrate
Mechanical insulating support upon which a device is fabricated.
summing amplifier
An op-amp circuit whose output is proportional to the sum of its instantaneous voltages.
superconductor
Metal such as lead or niobium that, when cooled to within a few degrees of absolute zero, can conduct current with no resistance.
super heterodyne receiver
Radio receiver that converts all radio frequencies to a fixed intermediate frequency to maximize gain and bandwidth before demodulation.
super high frequency
(SHF) Frequency band between 3 GHz and 30 GHz. So designated by Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
superposition theorem
Theorem designed to simplify networks containing two or more sources. It states that in a network containing more than one source, the current at any one point is equal to the algebraic sum of the currents produced by each source acting separately.
supply voltage
Voltage provided by a power source.
surface-barrier diode
(Schottky diode)High speed diode that has very little junction capacitance. Also known as a "hot-carrier diode."
surface leakage current
Diode reverse current that passes along the surface of the semiconductor materials.
surge current
High charging current that flows into a power supply filter capacitor as the power is first turned on.
sweep generator
Test instrument designed to produce a voltage that continuously varies in frequency over a band of frequencies. Used as a source to display frequency response of a circuit on an oscilloscope.
switch
Electrical device having two states, on (closed) or off (open). Ideally having zero impedance when closed and infinite impedance when open.
switching transistor
transistor designed to change rapidly between saturation and cut-off.
synchronization
Also called sync. Precise matching of two waves or functions.
synchronous
Two or more signals in step or in phase.
sync pulse
Pulse used as a reference for synchronization.
system
Combination of several pieces of equipment to perform in a particular manner

T

tank circuit
Parallel resonant circuit containing only a coil and a capacitor. Both the coil and capacitor store electrical energy for part of each cycle.
tantalum capacitor
Electrolytic capacitor having a tantalum foil anode. Able to have a large capacity in a small package.
tap
Electrical connection to some point other than at the ends of a resistor or inductor.
tapered
Nonunifrom distribution of resistance per unit length throughout the element of a potentiometer.
technician
Expert in troubleshooting circuit and system malfunctions. Along with a thorough knowledge of test equipment and how to use it to diagnose problems, the technician is also familiar with how to repair or replace faulty components. Technicians basically translate theory into action.
telegraphy
Communication between two points by sending and receiving a series of current pulses either through wire or by radio.
telemetry
Transmission of instrument readings to a remote location either by wire or by radio.
telephone
Apparatus designed to convert sound waves into electrical waves which are sent to and reproduced data distant point.
telephone line
Wires existing between subscribers and central stations in a telephone system.
telephony
Telecommunications system involving the transmission of speech information, allowing two or more persons to communicate verbally.
teletypewriter
Electric typewriter that like a teleprinter can produce coded signals corresponding to the keys pressed or print characters corresponding to the coded signals received.
television
System that converts both audio and visual information into corresponding electrical signals which are then transmitted through wires or by radio waves to a receiver which reproduces the original information.
telex
Teletypewriter exchange service.
temperature coefficient of frequency
Rate at which frequency changes with temperature.
tera
(T) Metric prefix that represents 1012.
terminal
Point at which electrical connections are made.
tesla
(T) Unit of magnetic flux density. (1 tesla = 1 Wb/m2).
test
Sequence of operations intended to verify the correct operation or malfunctioning of a piece of equipment or system.
thermal relay
Relay activated by a heating element.
thermal runaway
Problem that can develop in an amplifier when an increase in temperature causes an increase in collector current. The increase in collector current causes a further increase in temperature and so on. Unless the circuit is designed to prevent this condition, the device can be driven into saturation.
thermal stability
The ability of a circuit to maintain stable characteristics in spite of increased temperature.
thermistor
Temperature sensitive semiconductor that has a negative temperature coefficient of resistance. As temperature increases, resistance decreases.
thermocouple
Temperature transducer consisting of two dissimilar metals welded together at one end to form a junction that when heated will generate a voltage.
thermometry
Relating to the measuring of temperature.
thermostat
Device that opens or closes a circuit in response to changes in temperature.
Thevenin's theorem
Theorem that replaces any complex network with a single voltage source in series with a single resistance.
thick-film capacitor
Capacitor consisting of two thick-film layers of conductive film separated by a deposited thick-layer dielectric film.
thick film resistor
Fixed value resistor consisting of thick-film resistive element made from metal particles and glass powder.
thin film capacitor
Capacitor in which both the electrodes and the dielectric are deposited in layers on a substrate.
thin film detector
(TFD) A temperature detector containing a thin layer of platinum and used for precise temperature readings.
three phase supply
AC supply that consists of three AC voltages 120° out of phase with each other.
threshold
Minimum point at which an effect is produced or detected.
threshold voltage
For an enhancement MOSFET, the minimum gate source voltage required for conduction of source drain current.
thyristor
A term used to classify all four layer semiconductor devices. SCRs and triacs are examples of thyristors.
time constant
(t) Time required for a capacitor in an RC circuit to charge to 63% of the remaining potential across the circuit. Also time required for current to reach 63% of maximum value in an RL circuit. Time constant of an RC circuit is the product of R and C. Time constant of an RL circuit is equal to inductance divided by resistance.
time division multiplexing
(TDM) Transmission of two or more signals on the same path, but at different times.
time-domain analysis
A method of representing a waveform by plotting amplitude over time.
toggle switch
Spring loaded switch that is put in one of two positions either on or off.
tolerance
Permissible deviation from a specified value normally expressed as a percentage.
TO package
Cylindrical, metal can type of package of some semiconductor components.
toroidal coil
Coil wound on a doughnut shaped core.
transconductance
Also called mutual conductance. Ratio of a change in output current to the change in input voltage that caused it.
transducer
Device that converts energy from one form to another.
transformer
Inductor with two or more windings. Through mutual inductance, current in one winding called a primary will induce current into the other windings called secondaries.
transformer coupling
Also called inductive coupling. Coupling of two circuits by means of mutual inductance provided by a transformer.
transistor
Term derived from "transfer resistor." Semiconductor device that can be used as an amplifier or as an electronic switch.
transmission
Sending of information.
transmission line
Conducting line used to transmit signal energy between two points.
transmitter
Equipment used to achieve transmission.
triac
Bidirectional gate controlled thyristor similar to an SCR, but capable of conducting in both directions. Provides full wave control of AC power.
triangular wave
A repeating wave that has equal positive going and negative going ramps. The ramps have linear rates of change with time.
trigger
Pulse used to initiate a circuit action.
triggering
Initiation of an action in a circuit which then functions for a predetermined time. Example: The duration of one sweep in a cathode ray tube.
trimmer
Small value variable capacitor, resistor or inductor used to fine tune a larger value.
trivalent element
One having three valence electrons. Used as an impurity in semiconductor material to produce p-type material. Most commonly used trivalent elements are: Aluminum, Gallium and Boron.
troubleshooting
Systematic approach to locating the cause of a fault in an electronic circuit or system.
tuned circuit
Circuit that can have its component values adjusted so that it responds to one selected frequency and rejects all others.
tunnel diode
Heavily doped junction diode that has negative resistance in the forward direction of its operating range.
turn-off time
Sum of storage time and fall time.
turn-on time
Sum of delay time and rise time.
turns ratio
Ratio of the number of turns in the secondary winding of a transformer to the number of turns in the primary winding.
two phase
Two repeating waveforms having a phase difference of 90°
================================================== ======================

U

UHF
Abbreviation for "ultra high frequency.
ultrasonic
Signals that are just above the frequency range of human hearing of approximately 20 kHz.
uncharged
Material having atoms with the same number of electrons in orbit as the number of protons in the nucleus. Having no electrical charge.
unijunction transistor
Three terminal device that acts as a diode with its own internal voltage divider biasing circuit.
unity gain frequency
Frequency of operation for a device where the gain of the component drops to unity.
================================================== ====================

V

VA
Abbreviation for "volt ampere"
vacuum tube
Electron tube evacuated to such a degree that its electrical characteristics are essentially unaffected by the presence of residual gas or vapor. Have been essentially replaced by transistors for amplification and rectification. Cathode ray tubes are still used as display devices.
valence shell
The outermost electron shell for a given atom. The number of electrons in this shell determines the conductivity of the atom.
varactor diode
PN junction diode with a high junction capacitance when reverse biased. Most often used as a voltage controlled capacitor. The varactor is also called: varicap, tuning diode and epicap.
variable capacitor
Capacitor whose capacitance can be change by varying the effective area of the plates or the distance between the plates.
variable resistor
Resistor whose resistance can be changed by turning a shaft. See also "potentiometer and rheostat."
VCR
Abbreviation for "video cassette recorder."
vector
Quantity having both magnitude and direction. Normally represented by a line. Length of the line indicates magnitude and orientation indicates direction.
vector diagram
Arrangement of vectors showing phase relationships between two or more AC quantities of the same frequency.
vertical MOS
Enhancement type MOSFET designed to handle much greater values of drain current than standard E-MOSFET.
very high frequency
(VHF) Electromagnetic frequency band from 30 MHz to 300 MHz.
very low frequency
(VLF) Frequency band from 3 kHz to 30 kHz.
video
Relating to any picture or visual information. From the latin word meaning "I see."
video amplifier
Amplifier having one or mare stages designed to amplify video signals.
virtual ground
Point in a circuit that is always at approximately ground potential. Often a ground for voltage, but not for current.
voice coil
Coil attached to the diaphragm of a moving coil loudspeaker. The coil is moved through an air gap between magnetic pole pieces.
voice synthesizer
Synthesizer that can simulate speech by stringing together phonemes.
volt
Unit of potential difference or electromotive force. One volt is the potential difference needed to produce one ampere of current through a resistance of one ohm.
voltage
(V) Term used to designate electrical pressure or force that causes current to flow.
voltage amplifier
Amplifier designed to build up signal voltage. By design amplifiers can have a large voltage gain or a large current gain or a large power gain. Voltage amplifiers are designed to maximize voltage gain often at the expense of current gain or power gain.
voltage controlled oscillator
Oscillator whose output frequency depends on an input control voltage.
voltage divider
Fixed or variable series resistor network connected across a voltage to obtain a desired fraction of that voltage.
voltage divider biasing
Biasing method used with amplifiers in which two series resistors connected across a source. The junction of the two biasing resistors provides correct bias voltage for the amplifier.
voltage drop
Voltage or difference in potential developed across a component due to current flow.
voltage feedback
Feedback configuration where a portion of the output voltage is fed back to the input of an amplifier.
voltage follower
Operational amplifier circuit characterized by a high input impedance, low output impedance and unity voltage gain. Used as a buffer between a source and a low impedance load.
voltage gain
Also called voltage amplification. Ratio of amplifier output voltage to input voltage usually expressed in decibels.
voltage multiplier
Rectifier circuit using diodes and capacitors to produce a DC output voltage that is some multiple of the peak value of AC input voltage. Cost effective way of producing higher DC voltages. Voltage doublers and voltage triplers are examples.
voltage rating
Maximum voltage a component can withstand without breaking down.
voltage regulator
Device or circuit that maintains constant output voltage (within certain limits) in spite of changing line voltage and/or load current.
voltage source
Circuit or device that supplies voltage to a load.
voltaic cell
Primary cell having two unlike electrodes immersed in a solution that chemically interacts to produce a voltage.
volt-ampere
Unit of apparent power in an AC circuit containing capacitive or inductive reactance. Apparent power is the product of source voltage and current.
voltmeter
Instrument used to measure difference in potential between two points.
volume
Magnitude or power level of audio frequency. Measured in volume units (VU).

W

watt
Unit of electrical power required to do work at the rate of one joule per second. One watt of power is expended when one ampere of direct current flows through a resistance of one ohm. In an AC circuit, true power is the product of effective volts and effective amperes, multiplied by the power factor.
wattage rating
Maximum power a device can safely handle continuously.
watt-hour
Unit of electrical work, equal to a power of one watt being absorbed for one hour.
wattmeter
Instrument used to measure electric power in watts.
wave
Electric, electromagnetic, acoustic, mechanical or other form whose physical activity rises and falls or advances and retreats periodically as it travels through some medium.
waveform
Shape of a wave.
waveguide
Rectangular or circular pipe used to guide electromagnetic waves at micro frequencies.
wavelength
(l) Distance between two points of corresponding phase and is equal to waveform velocity divided by frequency.
weber
(Wb) Unit of magnetic flux. One weber is the amount of flux that when linked with a single turn of wire for an interval of one second will induce an electromotive force of one volt.
wien-bridge oscillator
Oscillator that uses an RC low-pass filter and an RC high-pass filter to set the frequncy of oscillations.
wet cell
Secondary cell using a liquid as an electrolyte.
wetting
Term used in soldering to describe the condition that occurs when the metals being soldered are hot enough to melt the solder so it flowes over the surface.
wheatstone bridge
Four arm bridge circuit used to measure resistance, inductance or capacitance.
wideband amplifier
Also called "broadband amplifier." Amplifier with a flat response over a wide range of frequencies.
winding
One or more turns of a conductor wound in the form of a coil.
wire
Single solid or stranded group of conductors having a low resistance to current flow. Used to make connections between circuits or points in a circuit.
wire gauge
American wire gauge (AWG) is a system of numerical designations of wire diameters.
wireless
Term describing radio communication that requires no wired between two communicating points.
wirewound resistor
Resistor in which the resistive element is a length of high resistance wire or ribbon usually nichrome wound onto an insulating form.
wire wrapping
Method of making a connection by wrapping wire around a rectangular pin.
woofer
Large loudspeaker designed primarily to reproduce low frequency audio signals.
work
Work is done any time energy is transformed from one type to another. The amount of work done is dependent on the amount of energy transformed.
================================================== ======================

X

X
Symbol for reactance
X axis
Horizontal axis
================================================== =======================

Y

Y
Symbol for admittance.
Y axis
Vertical axis.
================================================== =====================

Z

Z axis
Axis perpendicular to both X and Y axes.
zener diode
Semiconductor diode in which reverse breakdown voltage current causes the diode to develop a constant voltage. Used as a clamp for voltage regulation.
zeroing
Calibrating a meter so that it shows a value of zero when zero is being measured

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